Special Agent Josh Hauxhurst<\/p>\n
By Simon Albaugh – The Yemeni American News<\/p>\n
Dearborn, Mich. \u2013 In the early morning hours on Saturday, Feb. 12, an attempted arson occurred at Al-Huda Mosque in Dearborn\u2019s northeast side. Ahmed Taqi, an Iraqi national then fired on police soon after their arrival to the scene.<\/p>\n
Taqi was killed in a shootout with Dearborn Police Officers, with official sources saying that Taqi shot \u201cwithin a few seconds\u201d of police arriving on the scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithin a few seconds of their arrival, Mr. Taqi fired at the officers while they were sitting in their scout car,\u201d Police Chief Issa Shahin told members of the media. \u201cAnd then for 19 minutes, they followed Mr. Taqi as he walked southbound on Lonyo Avenue, asking him to surrender and put his firearm down.\u201d<\/p>\n
The attempted arson was deliberate, with Taqi using an accelerant to try and light Al-Huda Mosque ablaze. Damage can be seen at the women\u2019s entrance, where windows were boarded and ash covered the stone trimming.<\/p>\n
Taqi, a Dearborn resident, has had numerous 911 calls against him for mental health emergencies, but has not broken any laws before this point. FBI Special Agent Josh Hauxhurst said nothing that Taqi did would\u2019ve warranted an investigation before this point.<\/p>\n
In a statement to community members at Al-Huda Mosque, Hauxhurst said the investigation on Taqi\u2019s actions has focused on whether a political ideology was a cause of the act, and whether Taqi acted alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on evidence collected, interviews conducted to date and law enforcement reports with contacts of Taqi, there is no indication this action was either politically or ideologically motivated,\u201d Hauxhurst said. \u201cAnd there’s no indication at this point that he is acting as a part of group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor Abdullah Hammoud confirmed that Ahmed Taqi was an Iraqi National who moved to Dearborn after serving as an Interpreter during the Iraq war. The Dearborn Police Department was unable to provide information on where Taqi acquired the gun, or whether it was legally purchased.<\/p>\n
In a community forum with elected officials, law enforcement, public safety officials and faith leaders, over 150 members of the public were there to ask questions and express their concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand these kinds of crimes are terrifying to the community directly impacted, but also the entire Muslim group, many of whom understandably are worried about other potential threats,\u201d Hauxhurst said.<\/p>\n
The FBI has said that the investigation is still ongoing, and that anyone who may have information should share it with investigators on the case.<\/p>\n
The City of Dearborn, faith-based leaders and law enforcement have all made a quick response to the attempted arson. In the second community forum that took place at the Al-Huda Mosque on Feb. 19, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud tried to explain why in his own words.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a few purposes for why we convened this community for a community gathering,\u201d Hammoud said. \u201cThe first of which was to demonstrate that regardless of one’s faith or background, we stand in solidarity with one another. Though we are convening today in a moment of crisis, let it be known that here in the city of Dearborn we stand with one another each and every single day, not only in moments of crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Members of multiple congregations and faith-based groups spoke to the community members. Members of Islamic organizations, Christian Churches, and other organizations were present.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stand in Solidarity with all men, people of God, with other houses of worship,\u201d said Imam Mustapha Elturk. \u201cAnd we have a moral and religious responsibility to save our houses of worship and our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n